PFD's and old guys

[Scott Douglas]

My brother recently bought a boat. Nothing big, just a 16' in/out with a cheby 4 in it to take to the lake that is nearby where he lives now. Should be fun to putter around the lake once it's all dialed in. It is a project of sorts but I suspect it'll be on the water later this summer for sure if all goes to plan.
We share a birthday so I told him I'd like to get him a life vest to wear while on the boat. I think something that is like what the wave runner guys wear would be most comfortable for an old guy like me and a younger guy (by two years) like him.
Something like this:
https://shop.sea-doo.com/us/en/285947-navigator-pfd-life-jacket.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-KiBhCsARIsAPztUF0fIfrzvka-0XTJ8i4d9UTXtlGdF9-VjV4R9bFpl6STFa-GgLPD6CEaAgChEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#product-details

What do you guys with boats think/do/recommend?

[Tim Hancock]

Walmart sells adult life jackets for as little as $12. They all do the same thing... keep you from drowning if you are wearing one in the water and in my case take up storage space in the boat for when the coast guard wants to count them to make sure you enough for all on board.

My boat legally holds 13 so I have them stored all over the boat. In Ohio kids are required by law to wear them any time boat is moving, but none of us adults wear them unless waterskiing etc. We boat on relatively calm rivers and inland lakes so our jackets remain stowed most of the time.

[911 Rod]

All jackets are not created equal.
For JetSkis the padding and stitches are better so when you fall off at 60 it doesn't rip off.
I rarely wear my PDF even though I fish alone and usually when there are no boats on the water.
I bought the best inflatable PDF cause I want to see my Grandchildren grow up.
Can barely tell I am wearing it.

https://mustangsurvival.com/collections/inflatable-pfds/products/hit-inflatable-pfd-md3183-02

[Wetwork]

There are a bunch of different types and some have to be worn at all times in order for it to even count as a PFD. You have Type I's that are big and bulky but will re-right you if you are unconcious. Type II are like vests but don't re-right you, then the inflatables as the last type that have to be worn to count as a PFD. The most comfortable are the lightest with most of the floatation lower on the torso. Inflatables are nice but require maintence, and they can inflate if they get too much moisture so you might find a deck box blown out on occation. The most important is just wearing the darn things and getting used to them while working. Pretty soon you don't even notice you have it on. You also can't leave the PFD in the plastic bag for it to count on a inspection. You can't expect someone in the water to open anything especially a plastic wrapped PFD while they are floating in the water.

The main thing is they are US Coast Guard approved (they will have a big label) and they readily available. -WW

ps. I inspected and conducted boardings for PFD's and everything else on watercraft from 1989 to 2009. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

[908/930]

How large is the lake? The larger the lake the larger the waves. The inflatable are costly but are more comfortable and also usually have more buoyancy. A couple years ago a friend fell off of his J22 sailboat while racing, pretty windy day and he almost drowned wearing a PFD intended for waterskiing, not enough buoyancy and was in the cold water for about 20min, had a hard time keeping his head above water, fortunately he had some SAR training and kept calm, the person who rescued him had to drag him up onto the boat, he could not pull himself up, limbs too cold. He purchased an inflatable for the next race.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by Wetwork

Inflatables are nice but require maintence, and they can inflate if they get too much moisture so you might find a deck box blown out on occation.

The link I posted will not blow up in your deck box or the rain.

[Wetwork]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

The link I posted will not blow up in your deck box or the rain.

99% of our PFDs were by Mustang. As long as you keep up the maintainence inflatibles are fine. Personally me, I'd never use one tho, just me. It has to open up perfectly to work. A Type II or Type I always work no matter how hard you hit the water. -WW

[Scott Douglas]

Thanks for the input guys.

The lake is Nacimiento in SLO county.

[jrj3rd]

If he is boating alone get the inflatable. My boat never leaves the dock if I am alone without it on. Most European countries make it mandatory so you see a lot of well made inflatables overseas. Just remember the coasties only count an inflatable as a pfd if it is on.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

A PFD is one thing, but getting back into the boat after falling off is the big challenge.
I had to learn to right a capsized 14" sail boat and get back into it before the sailing club would rent the boat.
What's the plan to get you back in the boat from the COLD water.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by jrj3rd

If he is boating alone get the inflatable. My boat never leaves the dock if I am alone without it on. Most European countries make it mandatory so you see a lot of well made inflatables overseas. Just remember the coasties only count an inflatable as a pfd if it is on.

This is why I always carry extra regular pdfs.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by 3rd_gear_Ted

A PFD is one thing, but getting back into the boat after falling off is the big challenge.
I had to learn to right a capsized 14" sail boat and get back into it before the sailing club would rent the boat.
What's the plan to get you back in the boat from the COLD water.

I believe starting last year all small craft must come with some kind of step to get back in.
I'd die floating in the water without my ladder.

[rattlsnak]

I have the SeaDoo ones and love them! just make sure you get the correct size! They are very comfortable and float very good. If you end up getting hot out on the lake, you can take it off and dip it in the water and then put it back on and it’s like we’re in an ice vest.!

[ramonesfreak]

The seadoo jacket in the link is fine.

If your not sure, see if he has a West Marine nearby and get him a gift certificate so he can pick it out

https://www.westmarine.com/?&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Text%3eBrand%3eExact&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-KiBhCsARIsAPztUF38T1WLCZCeNa1RfK4TlvRsvnZT1BsbIIT8 Me4elz9hki9BJRM7wlEaAkjYEALw_wcB

[unclebilly]

Costco sells great ones and the price is good too.

Life jackets are mandatory on our seadoo speedster.